Chapter 28 – Sprout Evolves

As the Lesser Spirit Anchor skill activated, a flash of colors enveloped Maximus until everything around him was covered in shifting rainbow light, then suddenly small wisps began darting at immense speeds, whirring and buzzing until a deep crimson orb froze behind him and dove into his body, sinking into his spirit seed and merging with the red cycling orb of light.

Alert: Lesser Fire Spirit contracted.

[Lesser Fire Spirit] – Call forth a fire spirit to guide your way. While active, the spirit grants you a fire spirit’s blessing, increasing fire damage and resistance by 15% and overall damage by 10%. This boon can be shared with those you deem worthy.

In battle, the fire spirit will use the skill Fireball to fight by your side and grant Lesser Fire Enchantment to melee weapons.

Maximus smiled, his eyes widening as he grasped the power granted by the spirit. Just a lesser spirit can grant such boons? Imagine what a true spirit could do. He thought as he summoned the spirit outward.

The world had already returned to normal as a small, burning red wisp emerged from within Maximus.

It floated playfully around him before settling in front of him.

“Hey, buddy, I’m Maximus. Do you have a name?” He asked, but the spirit said nothing, only whirred rhythmically.

“Alright then, I’ll name you Embi. What do you say?” Maximus asked.

The elemental buzzed and shot into the sky, flying in excited circles before returning to Maximus, its form slightly larger and more stable than before.

“Looks like naming you helped you anchor yourself to the real world… Or at least whatever this place is. Glad I could help. I’ll be counting on you moving forward as well, buddy.” Maximus patted the small orb of flames, sensing a pleasant warmth.

He then turned to Silex and shouted, “Silex, we got a new member of our family, you better say hello!” He ordered.

Silex opened his eyes lazily and yawned just as the spirit floated down and settled onto his head.

Silex stiffened in surprise before warmth embraced his form, and he hissed happily, wagging his massive tail like a puppy.

“Look at you, making friends.” Maximus teased Silex as he walked toward the woods, circling the cavern, and began planting Scorching Lilies. Better to be safe while we recover. He thought as he littered the ground with explosive plants.

Once he was done, he returned to check on the odd pair. “Embi, come with me, let’s show you off to my friends. Silex, if you like the heat, you can come with too, you know.” Maximus teased as the spirit floated toward him.

Seeing this, Silex let out a low roar and hurried after them, trying to keep up with the spirit, making Maximus chuckle. Found another way to motivate him. He noted.

***

Oscar and Felix sat on the opposite side of the cavern, the emerald light shimmering over them as their wounds healed and their bodies grew stronger than before.

“This place is a godsend,” Felix said as he felt his body healing and strengthening at an astonishing rate.

“Tell me about it. Look at the size of me! I’m gonna be built like a brick outhouse soon!” Oscar said, grinning broadly.

Felix shook his head, smiling, as Maximus approached with a glowing fireball drifting around him.

“Bloody hell, mate, what’s that all about?” Oscar asked, amazed.

“Hey, you two. This is Embi, he is my new fire spirit. He will help us fight.” Maximus said simply.

“So, that was the surprise, huh?” Felix asked, staring at the spirit.

“Indeed, but I’ve got one more interesting skill you’ll like,” Maximus said, a hint of secrecy in his tone, barely containing his eagerness to test Lunar Flare. He even found himself hoping something would attack them soon just to try it in combat.

“Bloody hell, now I cannot wait to see what else you’re hiding,” Oscar said as the spirit landed gently in his palm.

“He likes you,” Maximus said. “Probably because of your affinity with fire mana. He should make you stronger as we fight. You’ll be our secret weapon now.” Maximus added, winking at Felix, who cracked a small smile.

“Ha! Little legend knows the score, doesn’t he? Recognized greatness straight away, he did!” Oscar said, chuckling like a child.

Maximus shook his head just as Silex nudged him aside and rushed toward Oscar, snapping his jaws and knocking Embi out of his palm.

“Oi! You absolute muppet! What was that for?!” Oscar bellowed, as Silex hissed and Embi floated up, settling on his head as if to calm him down.

“Looks like he got jealous.” Felix laughed loudly at the sight.

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“For some reason, the spirit seems to like Silex. They are even of opposite elements, so I’m not certain why.” Maximus said, puzzled.

“Some things you just cannot explain,” Felix said simply.

“I don’t think so. I’ll find an explanation in time.” Maximus replied calmly as he turned toward Sprout’s cocoon, which was glowing even brighter now.

Sprout, my old friend, I hope you are alright. He thought as he placed his hand over the cocoon and channeled some of his spirit along with a sliver of water numina, trying to help speed up the process.

The cocoon rippled, drawing in even more spirit from the surrounding crystals, but the remaining time did not decrease. It still needed a little more than an hour and thirty minutes.

“Any news?” Felix asked, clearly worried about Sprout.

“Nothing conclusive yet. I just hope he doesn’t push himself too far.” Maximus sighed as he sat in the empty spot beside Sprout.

“Are you guys hungry?” He asked.

“For some reason, no,” Felix said.

“Tell you what, I thought I’d be absolutely starving by now, but I’m stuffed, and my energy is through the roof!” Oscar said.

“It’s the abundant spirit energy in this place; it’s feeding your body directly. You should even notice your body growing sturdier and stronger. Well, not as much as me due to my druidic nature, but still. After this whole ordeal, we should all come out stronger, regardless of our levels.” Maximus explained.